Rio clashes follow day of strikes in Brazil

Police in Rio de Janiero have clashed with demonstrators after a day of strikes across Brazil, called by the country's largest trade unions.

Key ports and several motorways were blocked, many schools and banks stayed closed as crowds demanding improved working conditions and better public services marched through the streets.

The strike was mostly peaceful but some violent clashes broke out near Rio's Guanabara Palace.

The Americas Editor for the BBC World Service, Eric Camara, describes the scale of the demonstrations.